Poor Iran. As if Stuxnet and Flame weren't enough, now a new virus appears to be targeting not the hardware but the scientists themselves. F-Secure Chief Research Officer Mikko Hypponen says he's received emails from a scientist at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran describing a new kind of cyber-attack on its computers, and it's a doozy.

"I am writing you to inform you that our nuclear program has once again been compromised and attacked by a new worm with exploits which have shut down our automation network at Natanz and another facility Fordo near Qom," one email says. "There was also some music playing randomly on several of the workstations during the middle of the night with the volume maxed out. I believe it was playing 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC."

Hypponen wrote on this blog that while he can't confirm the details, he can confirm that the person he was communicating with was sending and receiving emails from within the AEOI.

The whole thing sounds more like a prank than the concerted cyber-warfare attack represented by Stuxnet, but random explosions of full-volume "Thunderstruck," especially in a country that doesn't have a strong tradition of Aussie bro-rock, could certainly be disconcerting for scientists stuck in the room where it's happening. And loud music has in fact been used as a psychological weapon in the past, such as when the U.S. military used it to help force the surrender of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989, or when I tried to piss off my dad that one time.

From a technological perspective, it's amazing how easily the foundations of even a well-protected foreign agency can be shaken with just a simple flick of a switch in an entirely different part of the world. Still, it's hard not to feel some degree of sympathy for those Iranian scientists, being shaken all night long like that; a stiff upper lip will only keep you going for so long, and sooner or later somebody's bound to have a nervous shakedown. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the dirty deed at this point, but the number of possibilities is relatively small. After all, it would take some very big balls to pull something like this off.

Andy Chalk:Nobody has claimed responsibility for the dirty deed at this point, but the number of possibilities is relatively small. After all, it would take some very big balls to pull something like this off.

draythefingerless:Sooner or later, that virus is gonna get shot down in flames by their techs, and then they can resume their work without all that rock n roll noise pollution.

But Rock N roll ain't noise pollution!

OT: Sounds like that virus really has got them by the balls. Like they are on the razors edge, or something. They really need to stop beating around the bush and do what they do for money in order to fix this.

Iran has done pretty much everything but actually declare war. So what better way to get them to attack than to drive them insane with AC/DC. Once they make a move, then public support will be available for a war. Then the AC/DC will be playing from the cockpits of Apache's and F-15's, where it can actually be enjoyed. I look forward to the gunsight video footage.

From a technological perspective, it's amazing how easily the foundations of even a well-protected foreign agency can be shaken with just a simple flick of a switch in an entirely different part of the world. Still, it's hard not to feel some degree of sympathy for those Iranian scientists, being shaken all night long like that; a stiff upper lip will only keep you going for so longer, and sooner or later somebody's bound to have a nervous shakedown. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the dirty deed at this point, but the number of possibilities is relatively small. After all, it would take some very big balls to pull something like this off.

I read about this earlier today, and had so many puns ready, but here you come along and prove to be such a ballbreaker, and spoil all the fun I might have with this rock and roll damnation, created by riff raff who just shoot to thrill.Makes you wonder who made who the virus. Maybe Iran will agree that rock and roll ain't noise pollution, and stop being such a problem child.

Presumably Israel is up to its usual shenanigans again. Surely this is illegal?

Antari:Iran has done pretty much everything but actually declare war. So what better way to get them to attack than to drive them insane with AC/DC. Once they make a move, then public support will be available for a war. Then the AC/DC will be playing from the cockpits of Apache's and F-15's, where it can actually be enjoyed. I look forward to the gunsight video footage.

The Plunk:Presumably Israel is up to its usual shenanigans again. Surely this is illegal?

Antari:Iran has done pretty much everything but actually declare war. So what better way to get them to attack than to drive them insane with AC/DC. Once they make a move, then public support will be available for a war. Then the AC/DC will be playing from the cockpits of Apache's and F-15's, where it can actually be enjoyed. I look forward to the gunsight video footage.

The Plunk:Presumably Israel is up to its usual shenanigans again. Surely this is illegal?

Antari:Iran has done pretty much everything but actually declare war. So what better way to get them to attack than to drive them insane with AC/DC. Once they make a move, then public support will be available for a war. Then the AC/DC will be playing from the cockpits of Apache's and F-15's, where it can actually be enjoyed. I look forward to the gunsight video footage.

Andy Chalk:From a technological perspective, it's amazing how easily the foundations of even a well-protected foreign agency can be shaken with just a simple flick of a switch in an entirely different part of the world. Still, it's hard not to feel some degree of sympathy for those Iranian scientists, being shaken all night long like that; a stiff upper lip will only keep you going for so longer, and sooner or later somebody's bound to have a nervous shakedown. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the dirty deed at this point, but the number of possibilities is relatively small. After all, it would take some very big balls to pull something like this off.

If we keep trying to prevent other countries from gaining nuclear energy, or even worse actively sabotaging their attempts, this can only end in another Chernobyl/Fukashima-type scenario which is bad for everyone on the planet.

We should be actively engaged in assisting other countries to develop their nuclear energy plants that way they gain access to the knowledge and wisdom we've gained over the years and they end up with a much more safe and stable system.

Antari:...Then the AC/DC will be playing from the cockpits of Apache's and F-15's, where it can actually be enjoyed. I look forward to the gunsight video footage.

Charming. It's just as well that the forum rules discourage us from making personal remarks.

Kuala BangoDango:We should be actively engaged in assisting other countries to develop their nuclear energy plants that way they gain access to the knowledge and wisdom we've gained over the years and they end up with a much more safe and stable system.

That's a good idea, but not for the reasons you provide. Iran is probably capable of stable, safe power plants, if it weren't for the US continually sending them faulty components or saboteurs. No, the reason why it would be good for the US to assist other countries in adopting nuclear power, is that it gains more influence in how those countries should use it. So far, America's tactic has been to continuously threaten Iran over teh construction of nuclear weapons, which essentially incentivises the Iranians to make nuclear weapons (what better way to hold off a threatened US assault?). If America facilitated Iran's power program, providing experts, materials and raw fuel, Iran ends up indebted to the US, and more likely to listen to the super power's demands.